Symbolic Strategies

We have talked during class many times about how when one is in office, and has the choice to re-run for office, they are technically always campaigning and thinking about re-election. During campaigns, there are many symbolic strategies that one may use during a campaign. The first strategy is "the use of symbolic trappings to transmit the absolute strength and importance of the office. The presidency stands for power, and therefore incumbents take on the persona of the powerful" (Trent, Friedenberg 88). President Obama is currently holding one of the most powerful positions in the US and has the power to spend time and money on the problems he thinks is most important. In the Plain Dealer, there was an article about how many black lawmakers are upset with Obama and his lack of effort to help African Americans getting jobs. With the country in a recession, blacks still make up a huge percent of the unemployeed in this country. With the power that Obama has, these black lawmakers think that Obama should use it to take the time, money and effort to help out these people, instead of spending over a trillion dollars on the war and helping banks and big corporations with the recession.

http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/12/black_lawmakers_grow_impatient.html